Soccer Thrilling Finals Likely Tomorrow

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29849, 15 June 1962, Page 3

Soccer Thrilling Finals Likely Tomorrow

In a season in which there has already been unprecedented interest in club soccer competitions, this Saturday's matches at English Park should draw an unusually large crowd. The final matches of the Hurley Shield competition will be played, and these matches will also determine Which team is to represent Canterbury in the Rothman's Tournament.

For the first time, there is a lot of money at stake in these matches. As winner of the local championship, the team which finishes on' top after tomorrow’s games will receive £ 100 for reaching the final Rothman's rounds and, if wins are recorded in matches against the witining Dunedin side, and then in the New Zealand final against the North Island champion team, the club could earn as much as £550 in prizemoney

With Nomads, Western, and Shamrock equal at the top of the points table, all wilt depend upon tomorrow's final matches. Nomads will meet Western in what should be a thrilling main game, and Shamrock will meet City- in the early game Shamrock will have the easiest task of the three, as City at present occupies the second-bottom placing on. the points table. However, Cityrecorded a shock win against Shamrock at their previous meeting, although the win-

ner’s points were subsequently deducted as the side had played an Unregistered player. The team 'will be keen to repeat this' showing, and so further insure itself against possible relegation.

Western and Nomads could, therefore, take the field for the main game knowing that the winner would compete with Shamrock on goal averages to decide the champion side. Shamrock supporters will no doubt be hoping for a Win to Nomads, as goal averages at present are: western 2.21. Nomads 2.0, Shamrock 2.0.

Should both Nomads and Shamrock win their matches tomorrow, both by scores of 2-1 or 4-2. they , will remain equal on goal averages. This will pose a pretty problem for the convener of the Canterbury Fqotball Association's match committee, Mr T. C. Gottermeyer. Five rounds ago Western recorded a most convincing (4-1) win over Nomads in their firstround meeting, and so must be favoured to win again tomorrow. Last Saturday’s poor showing by Nomada, and a burst of goal-scoring by Western, confirm this belief.

However, the form of both sides has been erratic in past weeks. Both were humbled by Shamrock, which, has not suffered a defeat in the second round, while Nomads were held to a draw by Technical (beaten 8-1 by Western), and Western could only draw with Rangers (beaten 8-2 by Nomads). It is certain that the young and enterprising Western forwards will cause the Nomads' defence a lot of trouble. If T Haydon; A. Bishop and M. Clements can reproduce the combination which has marked their better efforts this season, goals should result. Nomads, on the other hand, will be well served by the genius of P. Rennell and A. van Rooyen. but Western will probably field a more solid defence.